Based on information from Statistics New Zealand, average earnings from wages and salaries in New Zealand in 2003 and 2008 were as shown in the table below. Wage inflation over this 5 year period was higher than that which occured during the period 2001-2006.
| 2003 | 2008 | % increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings | $655 | $827 | Average annual earnings | $34,062 | $43,001 | 26.2% | Median weekly earnings | $587 | $729 | Median annual earnings | $30,498 | $37,908 | 24.3% |